Washington, D.C.— The Aero Club of Washington announced today that its Board of Governors has unanimously chosen Yvette A. Rose as its Foundation President. Ms. Rose will succeed A. Oakley Brooks, who served the Foundation tirelessly since its inception in 1995.
The Aero Club thanked Mr. Brooks for his 21 years of dedicated service, applauding him as a visionary whose hard work led to the Foundation’s highly regarded partnership with over ten District of Columbia Public and Charter schools. Mr. Brooks created many of the Foundation’s education initiatives, including: the annual ‘Kick-off’ at the Air & Space Museum featuring inspirational aviation leaders, field trips around the Washington Capital Area, a variety of aviation and aerospace experiences for students and the monthly Brown Bag luncheons at Francis L. Cardozo’s TransSTEM Academy.
Mr. Brooks’ service generated high praise from those working alongside him. Shirley C. McCall, former Director of the TransSTEM Academy noted, “Oakley’s influence in inspiring and motivating students comes from a deep and abiding concern for the future of our youth and the need for early workforce development in the field of aviation and aeronautics. He has keen foresight to know what programs will help train students into fields in aviation and aerospace and helps tailor field trips and experiences offered by the Foundation towards those skills.”
In announcing Ms. Rose, the Aero Club of Washington Board noted her own dedicated service with the Committee having served as the Board’s Foundation Liaison for the past 3 years. “Yvette is passionate about mentoring young people. She gives generously of her time. Not only will the Foundation not miss a beat during the leadership transition, I am confident Yvette will take it to new heights,” said Margaret Jenny, President of the Aero Club of Washington.
Praising the service of her predecessor, Ms. Rose remarked: “Oakley is a true and impassioned visionary who focused the Foundation’s energy on the District of Columbia’s youth, empowering students to aim high, see their full potential, and realize that a career in aviation or aerospace is possible.”
As Ms. Rose assumes the mantle of Foundation President, she hopes to expand the program’s reach and offer scholarships to college-bound students enrolled in aviation and aerospace programs. Citing her aspirations for its future direction, she continued, “I have personally witnessed the incredible impact the Foundation has on bright and talented students in the District who are capable of sustaining the future of our industry.”
In addition to her new role with the Aero Club of Washington’s charitable foundation, Ms. Rose serves professionally as the Senior Vice President of the Cargo Airline Association, having held various titles with that organization since 1994. Mr. Brooks continues to serve as President of the National Air Carrier Association.
The Aero Club Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, founded in 1995 to support aviation education programs in D.C. public and charter schools, focusing on students that aviation might never otherwise reach. The Foundation leverages D.C. resources and expertise from local organizations, pairing students with prestigious local institutions like the Smithsonian, to give students life-changing experiences. Over the years, dozens of students have pursued aviation careers, and have cited the Foundation as the spark that generated a lifetime passion.
